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PLANET

5 Easy Ways to Start Living Waste-free

by: Abegaile Legaspi
01 Aug 2019

We don’t have a waste problem, we have a consumption problem. It’s no secret that our planet needs our help more than ever, and we all have to do our part to better the waste crisis that, let’s face it, we’ve created ourselves. Starting a waste-free lifestyle can be a slightly daunting thought, but we’re here to help you out with some easy beginner hacks that you can incorporate into your life right now to cut down on your waste.

Get crafty!

DIY-ing not only saves you money but it also helps Mother Earth. But you don’t have to be the most talented artist in the room to make a difference. Here are some easy craft ideas to incorporate into your day-to-day:

Big coffee drinker? Instead of using disposable coffee filters, make a reusable one - with minimal time and effort - out of unbleached muslin cloth. Follow this very simple guide - just swap out the paper towel for a porous cloth.

We love a sheet mask as much as the next skincare junkie, but the disposable types are just the worst for our planet. Instagram and Youtube are heaping with DIY facial masks and scrubs - just make sure to do your research and find out what’s good for your skin. Breakouts don’t look good on anybody!

Reuse and repurpose

It goes without saying that in order to limit waste, we gotta be creative. For instance, instead of just throwing away pasta sauce and pickle jars, make drinking glasses out of them. Who doesn’t love drinking out of mason jars? They’re cute, trendy and oh so Instagrammable. Mason jars make a pretty pendant lamp if you’re looking to add a bit of a rustic vibe to your crib, too.

Swap it out

Let’s get things straight. You don’t have to replace everything you own that’s made of plastic to be more eco-friendly. If you do, you’ll just end up with more waste, and that won’t exactly be helping the planet. It’s easier to take note of future purchases and try to steer away from plastic products. A lot of products that you’ve become used to in plastic now come in materials like bamboo, which are a lot sturdier and can last a lot longer.

Build a zero-waste kit

Old habits die hard. To stay on track of your zero-waste goals, start carrying a simple kit of reusables with you. Having a go-to will make you think twice about using disposables like cutlery, straws and water bottles. You don’t need a lot, and it doesn’t even have to be too fancy. It can be as simple as the one in the photo - the key is to make sure it’s all reusable.

Goodbye impulse buys

At the end of the day, it all boils down to conscious and smart shopping. Quality and sustainability should be what you’re looking for (not sales and trends!) It takes time, so it’s okay to start small. Try not to get sucked in by fast-fashion pieces that are 50% off or one-off goods that’ll never see the light of day again. Every effort counts.